Background Social withdrawal in early childhood is a risk factor for later socioemotional difficulties. This study examined the joint effects of children's social withdrawal and mothers' and fathers' parenting styles on children's socioemotional development. Based on diatheses‐stress, vantage sensitivity, and differential susceptibility models, socially withdrawn children were assumed to be more prone to parental influences than others. Methods Teachers rated 314 children on prosocial skills, and internalizing and externalizing behaviors at three points in time between grades 1–3. Mothers (n = 279) and fathers (n = 182) filled in questionnaires measuring their affection, and their behavioral and psychological control at the same points in time. Teacher reports on children's level of social withdrawal were obtained at the end of kindergarten. Results Panel analysis showed that particularly those children who showed signs of social withdrawal were vulnerable to the negative effects of low maternal affection in terms of externalizing behavior. Moreover, among these children, mothers' and fathers' psychological control predicted high levels of internalizing problem but, at the same time, mothers' psychological control predicted also a high level of prosocial behavior and low levels of externalizing problem. Conclusions The results supported the diathesis–stress model more than the differential susceptibility model. For example, socially withdrawn children were found to be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of low maternal affection. Although maternal psychological control had positive effects on the prosocial skills of socially withdrawn children, and reduced the amount of externalizing problems, it was at the same time associated with an increase in their internalizing problems. In this way, socially withdrawn children seem to be at risk of pleasing their mothers at the cost of their own well‐being.

Problem statement: Environmental stimulation plays a critical role in optimal human development during the early stages of life and an optimal level (of development) occurs with strong contextual support. It is well accepted among develop mentalists that motor-perceptual-and cognitive development are fundamentally interrelated. This suggests that status of motor development is an important factor in overall child well-being. The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the validity and reliability of AHEMD-SR in Iran and (ii) the relationship between affordances and level of motor development. The instrument could provide useful information in a wide variety of settings, including applications to intervention and remediation. Approach: Data were collected throughout random sampling from 350 families with children within the age range 18-42 months in early childhood centers in Ahvaz, Iran. Families were asked to complete an inventory containing 67 items (AHEMD-SR) which represent five factors: Outside physical space, inside physical space, variety of stimulation, gross motor materials and fine motor materials. Validity, reliability, correlations and regression were examined. Results: The findings of the research suggested that the validity test of AHEMD-SR equals 0.75 and its reliability test is 0.89. A significant (0.01 or 0.05) positive moderate correlation was found between the five factors of AHEMD and Total AHEMD. Furthermore, there was a multiple relationship between the five factors of AHEMD and total AHEMD. Conclusion/Recommendations: For the first time in Iran it has been showed that AHEMD-SR is a valid (0.75) and reliable (0.89) instrument for assessing how well environments home afford movement and potentially promotes motor development. A significant (0.01 or 0.05) positive moderate correlation was found between the five factors of AHEMD and Total AHEMD. There are also strong and significant multi relationships between dependent variable and predictors (the five factors). The best predictor of Total AHEMD is fine motor toys.

This study aims at investigating the sexual relationship and intimate of postpartum spouses and the effect of those relationships on their marital satisfaction. A sample of 128 postpartum couples having given birth to their first child (6-36 weeks postpartum) participated in this study during 2009. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional survey design was conducted using Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory, Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationship Scale and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Using univariate and multivariate regression analysis, results suggested that there were higher levels of sexual desire reported by husbands and there was a significant positive relationship between sexuality and marital satisfaction, for both genders. Moreover, high intimacy diminished the negative effects of marital satisfaction due to reported low sexual satisfaction. Regarding negative effects of marital dissatisfaction in first-time families, it is important to assess main related issues such as postpartum sexuality and intimacy, to obtain knowledge for health care providers to provide support to the postpartum families.

This study investigated the associations between parenting styles (affection, behavioral control, and psychological control) and children's emotional development (emotion expression) during the first grade of primary school, and the moderating role of children's temperament (easy, difficult, and inhibited) in these associations. Mothers and fathers of 152 children responded to a questionnaire concerning their parenting styles and their child's temperament at the beginning of their child's first grade (Time 1). They also filled in a structured diary questionnaire concerning their child's negative and positive emotions over seven successive days (diary) at the beginning (Time 1) and at the end (Time 2) of their child's first grade. The results showed that mothers' psychological control at Time 1 was associated with a subsequent high level of negative emotions among children, independently of the child's temperament. Mothers' high affection, in turn, was associated with subsequently low levels of negative emotions, particularly among children with inhibited temperament. Mothers' behavioral control, on the other hand, was associated with low levels of negative emotions among children with difficult temperament. Fathers' psychological control was associated with subsequently high levels of negative emotions among children with difficult temperament. No associations were found between parenting styles and children's positive emotions.

Problem statement: Body image is a psychological construct which refers to self-concept including self image and feelings an individual perceives about his or her body. Body image can significantly affect the way an individual perceives about his or her body. Studies on relationship between physical self-concept and body image in some countries showed that the women's body dissatisfaction has led to increase in eating disorders. The question was raised whether such a relationship may exist in Iran. Approach: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical self-concept and body Image dissatisfaction in female. The importance of body image in Iranian culture has, recently, became more significant to the extent that tremendous expenditure of time, effort and money has been paid by people, particularly by women, seeking to alert their appearances to resemble an idea image. A survey of 140 female students selected through random sampling was conducted in Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, southern Iran. To collect data, a questionnaire including Demographic Information form the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) and Nine Figure Silhouette Scale was used. The physical self-perception profile have five subscales, which were sport competence (SPORT), body attractiveness (BODY), physical condition (CONDITION) and physical strength (STRENGTH) and one subscale that assesses a global perception of overall Physical Self-Worth (PSW). Results: The finding of the research indicated that there is a significant negative correlation between the physical self-concept and body image dissatisfaction. The correlations magnitude ranged between 0.49-0.79 for body image dissatisfaction. Body image dissatisfaction correlated strongest with physical self-worth and with body physical self-concept in female students in Iran. Thinness had the most influential impact on body image dissatisfaction. The findings also showed discrepancy between the ideal and current figures. The participations presented an ideal body that was much thinner than their perceived size. Conclusion/Recommendation: Women most at risk of body dissatisfaction are those who have low self-concept, those who perceive a lack of control over their bodies and those who have internalized the thin ideal. Exposure to particular kinds of television images may influence body satisfaction in females. The content of television images affects body satisfaction and drive for thinness in females. High self-concept, resistance to internalization of the thin ideal and perceptions of body mastery and control predict body satisfaction. Moderate exercise, focusing on body mastery and enjoyment rather than appearance and weight, may also be an effective strategy for improving body satisfaction. Cultural changes and a focus on body function rather than aesthetics would be likely to improve body satisfaction.